Extreme weather is something that has always scared me. Whether its the loudness of thunder, the verocity of lightning, or the sheer force of strong winds, I get really nervous during storms.
Tornados in particular have both fascinated and frightened me for a long time. I grew up in Virginia, where tornados are rare, but I’ve lived in St. Louis–granted, the city–where it’s common to hear the tornado sirens a few times each year. In fact, I spent a few hours during a Memorial Day barbecue in a basement just a few months ago.
It’s the type of fear I want to see and understand (but not experience), so when I heard they were making a sequel to Twisters and that it was actually quite good, I absolutely wanted to watch it on the big screen.
For these types of disaster movies, I’m there to see forces of nature–which are there in terrifying abundance and clarity in Twisters–but they have the most impact if I care about the characters and the people they impact. It’s in both respects that Twisters shines, even if it leans really hard early on into making you try to dismiss the “tornado wranglers” as hollerin’ yokels.
The movie also includes a few decent lessons about how to protect yourself during a tornado. I know that I would still have a hard time leaving my car and getting in ditch or low ground, though.
We had a great time watching Twisters, and I’d recommend it if any of the above resonates with you. Do you have a favorite natural disaster movie?
Good to know about the ditch/ravine. It wouldn’t have been my first thought.
I live in earthquake country. And I don’t often duck under a table. Usually I wait and see if it’s long or not. But once, I did run out of the house. And then ran back in and grabbed my dog and ran back out, leaving behind my family.
How did your dog feel about that? 🙂
I enjoyed the season 6 finale of Young Sheldon which dramatically featured a twister.